BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - The University of West Alabama announced the hiring of Brett Gilliland as its new head football coach on Monday.

Gilliland is a familiar face for West Alabama fans, as he was a quarterback for the Tigers from 2000-03.

Gilliland was a regional finalist for the Harlon Hill trophy in 2003. He earned All-Gulf South second team honors (2002) as well as all-region recognition from the Football Gazette (2002). Gilliland concluded his career as the Tigers' single-season (3,213) and career passing yards (6,689) record holder.

He completed his West Alabama career with a record 6,847 total offensive yards while playing in 42 games and starting 27. In 2012, he was inducted into the UWA Athletic Hall of Fame.

Gilliland replaces Will Hall, who left to take the same position at the University of West Georgia.

Gilliland spent last season as the quarterbacks coach for Kennesaw State. Prior to that, he spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Georgia Southern. He was also a graduate assistant at Georgia Tech for three seasons.

"I am forever indebted and grateful for the opportunity that I was given
to be on the first ever coaching staff at Kennesaw State," Gilliland
said in a KSU release. "KSU is a tremendous place with a bright future. I appreciate
Coach (Brian) Bohannon and (Director of Athletics) Vaughn Williams for
believing in me.

"I have been given another tremendous opportunity to return to my alma
mater as the head football coach and feel the Lord is leading my family
and me into this new endeavor. I am truly excited for
the future of Kennesaw State and West Alabama."

"I am very pleased to have a former Tiger coming home, especially one who brings the type experience and necessary skills to continue our success," West Alabama athletics director Stan Williamson said in a UWA release. "I am confident in Brett's ability to lead us to continued success, including the pursuit of a third straight Gulf South Conference championship."